Pete Seeger wrote this song based on a 1938 poem by the Welsh poet Idris Davies, who lived in the town of Rhymney, Wales. The poem was written in protest of a pay cut the British government imposed on the coal industry as an austerity measure after WW I. Pete turned it into a protest about mine safety as is evidenced by his changing the line "who robbed the miner" to "who killed the miner". The Byrds then turned it into one of the most quintessential (and best) folk rock songs ever recorded, releasing it on their 1965 debut album "Mr. Tambourine Man".
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"The Bells Of Rhymney" (Seeger/Davies)

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

Throw the vandals in court 
say the bells of Newport
All would be well if, if, if, if, if 
say the green bells of Cardiff

Why so worried sisters why 
say the silver bells of Wye
And what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

The Byrds "Mr. Tambourine Man" Columbia Records 1965

“The Bells Of Rhymney”

"Walk Right Back"
By James Lawrence Nesser (2021)

Yesterday I heard that Don Everly passed away.  This is a tribute to the Everly Brothers.  The song was written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets fame.  When the Everly Brothers recorded it the second verse hadn't been written yet so they just repeated the first verse.  My version is raw, unproduced, and "unplugged".
July 2022 Update: After one year, I added some percussion and tweaked the sound slightly.

"Walk Right Back"

"I'm In A Dark Place"  
words & music by 
(c)James Lawrence Nesser

"I'm In A Dark Place"

Another Beatles cover.  This is a re-mix of a track I had posted a few years ago.  It isn’t very different though I hope I improved it somewhat.

"Things We Said Today"

"I Knew I'd Want You" by James Lawrence Nesser

A very romantic love song written by Gene Clark and recorded and released by The Byrds in 1965 for their first album, Mr. Tambourine Man.  It's a great album and Gene Clark is one of my favorite writers so I'll be doing some more covers of his songs.

I Knew I'd Want You

"I Knew I'd Want You"

"If I Needed Someone" 
Words & Music by George Harrison 
From The Beatles' 1965 album "Revolver" (1966 "Yesterday & Today" in North America).  I always liked George songs.

"If I Needed Someone"

This is a cover of a cover, so to speak.  The original by The Marvelettes from 1961 was covered by The Beatles in 1963 on their second album, "With The Beatles", and it is The Beatles' version that I am covering here.  It's a repeated four-chord, doo wop progression from the Motown era. Although the lyrics revolve around snail mail  it's still a good, fun song and I like it.

Please Mr. Postman

"Please Mr. Postman"

"I Am A Rock" (P. Simon) 
performed by
James Nesser

An unplugged version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic.

I Am A Rock

"I Am A Rock" (Unplugged)

"Beautiful Sad Dream" (Fantasie Vocalise)
                      (c)2022
            By James Lawrence Nesser

I dreamt a dream both beautiful and sad
So many nights it nearly drove me mad
At first all colors shone in brilliant hue
And all around me looked so fresh and new

As time passed on close to the end of day
Those pretty colors dimmed to fade away
From high upon a hilltop I looked down
At all the bright lights shining in the town

When something strange I noticed by and by
I found that for the first time I could fly
Yes, I could bank and swoop, and I could soar
But when I tried to do just one thing more

Though I could dart so swiftly all around
I tried but could not fly down to that town
And no amount of effort took me near
Those sparkling amber lights so warm and clear

In time I saw one special tiny light
Among so many in the winter night
Its beam merely a weakly blinking glow
When suddenly I felt a chill wind blow

It stung my face and filled my eyes with tears
I now know after all these many years
That I was looking at my childhood home
From high upon that hilltop all alone

Somehow I knew that I could not go in
I knew I never could go home again
The night air then turned bitter and so cold
I felt as if I'd suddenly turned old

But that is just how some dreams tend to go
And they're not real, at least I don't think so

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Note:  This "poem" is based on an actual dream I used to have fairly  frequently.  Once I wrote out these verses I don't think I've ever had it again.  But I remember it so well I can visualize it any time I want to.

Beautiful Sad Dream

Beautiful Sad Dream (Fantasie Vocalise & verse narrative)

An great old Johnny Horton song I got to thinking about one day.  It's from 1953, so even older than I thought.

All For The Love Of A Girl

"All For The Love Of A Girl"

"Lonesome Town" -  All vocals and instruments performed by James Lawrence Nesser.  

A 1958 hit by the then 18-year-old Ricky Nelson with backing by The Jordanaires.  Written by Baker Knight, it seems a strange song to give to an 18-year-old in that the quite dark lyrics seem to be more suited to a more mature person who has lived long enough to have experienced heartache, disillusionment, and regret.

Lonesome Town

"Lonesome Town"

Jan. 2023 - A tribute cover of a Yardbirds song to honor Jeff Beck, who passed away unexpectedly a few days ago.  This song was on their 1965 album "Having A Raveup With The Yardbirds”.   This is most likely the simplest guitar riff Jeff ever played, so even I could try my hand.  It was one of the first uses of a fuzz pedal and was influenced by sitar music, which was in vogue at the time.  My version features a Telecaster recorded direct with digital effects.  The acoustic guitar is an Epiphone EJ-160e.

"Heart Full Of Soul"

Today is May 1st, so I’m posting my cover of "First of May", a poignant and beautiful song by the Bee Gees.  All vocals and instruments, including the virtual strings, are mine.

"First Of May"

Since hearing the sad news of the great Gordon Lightfoot's passing a few days ago I decided, as a tribute,  to re-mix and re-post my cover of this song.

Go-Go Round

"Go - Go Round"

"Route 66" by James Lawrence Nesser

There are hundreds of covers of this classic, written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and first recorded by Nat King Cole that same year.  Here is one more, a version that is influenced by a number of different artists, but mainly by The Rolling Stones on their self-titled 1964 album.

Fender Tele
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2

Route 66

"Route 66"

"Paperback Writer" by Lennon & McCartney performed by James Nesser.

Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2 - Black Oyster

"Paperback Writer"

Written by Michael Hugg and Brian Hugg.  Recorded by The Yardbirds (featuring Jeff Beck on lead guitar) at Phillips Studios, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1965.  It was released that same year in the U.S. on the album "Having A Raveup With The Yardbirds" and in 1966 in the UK.

"Mr. You're A Better Man Than I"

Here is a medley of a song by Bobby Darin, covered by Gerry and The Pacemakers, together with an early Beach Boys song.  This project was inspired by a family member's serious illness a few years ago, so I hope I can be forgiven for adapting the lyrics slightly.  I decided to post it now that Brian Wilson has sadly just passed.

"Don't Worry Medley"

©2016 by James Lawrence Nesser - A late night improvisation.  You have to be in the right mood for it--a contemplative mood, a reflective mood. 

As the year turns it is a good time to reflect 
On what has passed and what yet may be to come 
To remember both our joys and our sorrows 
Determining to hope for some bright tomorrows

"Reflections"

The Spires of Tiomé (Final Approach) – Words and Music ©2018 by James Lawrence Nesser

This is meant to be listened to while imaging a scene, in this case the approach and landing of a craft on an alien planet.  I have written the narrative in verse, such as it is, to be imagined as it would be recited by Patrick Stewart in the role of Captain Jean Luc Picard.  (The synth sounds on this will be challenging to a number of systems.  In all likelihood, most will not be able to hear all of the notes in balance.  I only hope the streaming algorithms don’t turn it into total mush.)

"The Spires of Tiomé"

Before us like a giant arch
There stretched a rim of azure blue
As we approached our mission's goal
To reach Tiomé on we flew

We pierced the upper atmosphere
Forthwith the spires came in full view
So famed they were throughout the realm
That truly at first sight we knew

Below the spires lay a world
All bathed in glaring blue-tinged light
We passed o'er deserts, woods, and plains
Excited by the brilliant sight

We often altered course and speed
The air grew thick and clouds appeared
At times we met with other craft
Such close encounters that we veered

The spires rose well above us when
We dipped into a valley low
Then layers of thin methane haze
Cast a pall on all below

And when we saw the landing site
A change of mood swept o'er the crew
A sense of apprehension rose
As our greeting party came in view

The faces of our hosts were stern
And every third one wore a frown
A full battalion stood with them
As we powered all our engines down

	          *	      *	          *

The Spires Of Tiomé (Final Approach)

A cover of The Cars' biggest hit.  From 1984, I believe.

"Drive"

"Queen Of My Skies" (c)James Lawrence Nesser - This is a remix of one of my earliest recordings.  I hope I improved it somewhat.

"Queen Of My Skies"

"Stone Cold Blues" Words & Music written and performed by James Lawrence Nesser

Veterans Day 11-11-2018. On this day of remembrance, I am posting this remixed version of a song originally titled "Stone Cold VA Blues" in honor of the courageous service and sacrifice of all our veterans.  It was written in the summer of 2014 at the height of the scandals in the U.S. Veterans Administration.  I changed the title because the issues are broader than any one set of circumstances.  Not to imply that all or most veterans are struggling with these same issues, but PTSD remains a problem for many, as recent tragic news events have sadly reminded us, and many do not get the help they need.  I also added back in a verse that was originally omitted, which makes the song too long, but I wanted to say what I wanted to say.

"Stone Cold Blues"

"All I Have To Do Is Dream"

A Buddy Holly classic.  I leaned heavily on The Hollies version for this cover.   So, a cover of a cover mainly.

"Take Your Time"

This song was on the first Beatles album I ever got.  My cover features an Epiphone EJ-160e and an Epiphone Viola Bass, both recent acquisitions, both of them used, and both of them with flat-wound strings.

"This Boy"

“You Are A Hero”  Words & Music (c) by James Lawrence Nesser

July 16, 2019 - I wrote this as a eulogy to Neal Armstrong the day after he died.  It’s from the point of view of what I would like to have said had I been given the honor and privilege of meeting him the day prior, his last day.  I’m in the process of re-writing this song, but given all the media attention surrounding the 50th anniversary of the moonshot I wanted to post it in its current state to celebrate the event and all who participated in it.

“You Are A Hero”

One of my favorite Beatles songs.  Epiphone Casino (2016) and Epiphone Viola Bass.  Virtual drums, but with a real tambourine.

"And Your Bird Can Sing"

(c)2020 James Lawrence Nesser

The night a young man discovers he has fallen in love.  

Italia 12-String, Epiphone Casino, Epiphone Viola Bass, a couple of synth patches I made, virtual drums, and a Korg Nanopad.

"Ready To Fly"

A Beatles classic with Lennon & McCartney providing a bit of genius melody writing on this one.  Much more than a lead vocal with a harmonized descant, rather there are two counter melodies that create an ever shifting set of intervals making the harmony seem much richer than one might expect from a two-part vocal.  I put a 15 ips tape echo on the vocal intro at the last minute. 

I had posted an earlier version of this cover a few years ago.  This one has been re-mixed and also had a number of errors corrected.

"If I Fell"

Although I love just about all types of music, the biggest influence on what I write and record is the pop, rock, folk, and country music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  All vocals and instruments are performed and recorded by me and, except where otherwise noted, all songs are original compositions.  I often post the lyrics to my compositions as an aid to listeners who do not have English as their first language.  Thanks to all who stop by and listen to any of my songs.  I appreciate your time and attention, and I hope you enjoy listening.

James (Lawrence) Nesser

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